>> hello, welcome to the news hour. our top stories. french reinforcements arrive in central africa republic as militias leave hundreds dead. and world trade organization reaches it's first ever deal towards global commerce. not everyone is happy with it. >> and news from europe

including anger from protesters in ukraine as their president talks to russian leaders about a customs union. we begin this news hour with a situation in central african republic. it's been two days since violence broke out killing around 300 people so far. the two groups are battling for control. the mainly muslim group loyal to the president, and their mainly christian rivals want them removed from power. on saturday some ventured out for the first time in days. the fighting has driven thousands of people from their homes forcing them to seek shelter from churches and even

the airport. soldiers have come from cameroon. they've been deployed to the northern and eastern part of the country. and the french president speaks abou,recommitting help to the p. >> on thursday evening there were 600 french soldiers on the ground. last night there were 1,000. tonight there will be 1,000. you have asked me how how long could it take? this force will be detroit as quickly as possible throughout the country where there is a risk for the population with the africa forces that are present and they are 2,500 africa forc

forces. wan short period we will be able to stop all the crimes. >> standing by in bangui. today you have been speaking with the president of c.a.r. what did he have to say? >> reporter: well, the position of rebel president who took over in march, has become increasingly fragile. on a hillside surrounded by presidential guards, weaponry, and a lot of soldiers. his answers are pretty predictable. when i asked what he was doing about this massacre and part of it is carried out b.

he said it was regrettable what was happening but it was down to tit for tat because of what has happened in the country throughout the past 0 years. various coup d'etat's and crimes by the president: he didn't have an answer for me when i asked him why should people still consider him as head of state for the country which really isn't a state any more. there's no government. there's no services being provided by people and there is no security for people either and there is no army or police providing security. it is really in the hands of the french and african forces. again he had no concrete answer to those questions. >> and of course we're getting more french forces, just

underlying your point there. what are they going and and what is the mandate for the country? >> well, for the first time i've seen an attempt to reassure people to try to get them to open their shops. they're just sticking to the main avenues, not heading to the suburbs where some of here's atrocities are happening. they're going to be heading north and west of the country where again it is very, very u unstable. what we need to remember here there are two sides. the anti-seleka. they're preparing at some point to attack. they said they will not be put off by the french. their aim is to get rid of their

leader. at the same time he has asked all sort of guards to head back, but we can tell you that is not happening. it is predicted there will be further attacks, but it will happen wherever they can. >> it sounds terrifying for people there. the reports are that hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing their homes. we've seen pictures of them gathering at the airport. what help are they getting? >> well it's very difficult with agencies operating on the ground here. some can't venture out. some for example north of the country are hiding in african forced bases there because of

attacks from seleka and anti-beleka. we went to a hospital which was completely empty. it usually treats hundreds of people. but on friday night and saturday morning we understand that selekea went into this hospital and dragged out injured people and killed at least ten of them. that has is not treating anyone at moment. it's very difficult for agencies to operate in this kind of environment. >> now 21 egyptian women and girls are being freed from prison after appeals court ruled in their favor. they have been sentenced to 11 years in jail after protesting in the city of alexandria in october. we first have reports from cairo. >> before saturday's appeal hearing these 14 women just 17 and 18 years old were facing 11

years in jail for taking part in a protest against egypt's military-backed government. the harsh sentences provoke outrage nationally and internationally. the appeal court now given the women one-year suspended sense. >> wthey are stronger than bef before. >> hseveral girls have been givn sentences for three months probation. >> we believe they are innocent. this is unjustified judgment. so for that the not 100% success, of course.

>> but there are thousands of people still in jail in egypt yet to face trial for offenses they're accused of committing since the backdown of the las, d many believe that the government was trying to make an example of them. but that may have backfired. the focus is on the continue crackdown of anti-protest protesters. >> muslim brotherhood supporters have been acquitted. they were charged with spreading chaos after being arrested in cairo. the charges include attacking security forces, vandal eyeing property and possessing weapons.

now it's being held a as a boost to trade. now back in business. leaders spent an extra day to overcome the last minute hitches. some estimate it will boost world economy by 1 trillion-dollar and create more than 20 million jobs. we're looking at details in just a moment. but first we have reports from indonesia. >> reporter: it was an emotional moment after a dramatic four-day long meeting in ballet. the unexpected wa, and suddenlyt was possible. >> the countries of the wto has accepted a deal that will bring

down trade barriers worldwide. it could bring a broader agreement in the years to come. also custom procedures will be more transparent, which should make trade cheaper and developing countries like indonesia are allowed to protect their farmers and poor people with basic food subsidies. india was blamed for not backing down on its food security plan. many in the united states were worried it would effect world market prices. >> i view as a victory for the farmers for the entire developing countries, and there is also a coalition of developing countries that entry waindiawas able to put togetherh its partners demonstrated

solidarity and achieve this. >> not every is happy with the deal. farmers organizations and activists say farmers in the developing countries will suffer from free trade. >> the right of people and the right of a country to arrange it's own argentina industry will disappear. this will be very dangerous for the existence of many people. >> reporter: many worry here in indonesia that not everyone will benefit from the free trade deal. farmers hearsay they are simply not ready to speed with farms in intellectual countries but east iatleast it could lead to more reforms worldwide. >> the wto wants to cut red tape and treatment light custom and port procedures.

proposing wide-ranging argentina reforms, access for cotton producers from countries that are the at least developed, and wto want to simplify a whole range of rules including export from lesser developed countries to more developed ones. thank you very much for being with us. this is the wto's first global achievement. that is an achievement on its own. are what they going to see tangible? >> that's a good question, this is the first real achievement of the world trade organization in its 20. year existence. yet, it will hope it will establish or establish itself as relevant in the world today

given the amount of bilaterals. but on your broader point about when we will see the substance of this, that remains to be seen. it will be many years before the trillion dollars that you talk about there in the report, before that feeds through the rest of the global economy. but 1 trillion-dollar, if an accurate figure, is not to be sniffed at, and would be a boost to the global economy over the medium term. >> does it risk flipping back into obscurity or bilateral if we do not see agreements in the next several years? >> yes, this agreement is the low hanging fruit of that talks gun back in 2001. this is what is agreed.

and and the trans-atlantic relationship, but i mean, relatively modest. still have the potential of streamlining these procedures and increasing trade. that's what those negotiating hope will happen. >> and we have the british prime minister hailing this deal as a lifeline to the poorest and then on the other side we say this is doing very little for the world's poor. who is right, do you think? >> if you take the view there is a rising tied of lift or ships then 1 trillion-dollar into the global economy will help all those economies that are signed up to it, the institutions more broadly are often accused of working much more in the

interest of the developed economies of the world than the poorest. perhaps this intervention, which has taken food security, i think your report that was some of the subtilties there. and perhaps they can work more on the bureaucracy and red tape without worry about those to that degree, but and they can really help developing countri countries. >> the war veteran being held in north korea is on his way back to san francisco. and we have more about manchester united. those details coming up later in the program.

>> to testers in the ukrainian capital are rallying in its government's tempt to forge closer trade with russia officials on both sides said that no deal had been reached. the wave of mass protests now in their third week began when they pulled out o negotiations with e e.u. >> the former georgian president spoke to backers in kiev square. >> you are the beating heart of

europe. earlier at a press conference i told al jazeera that the pro european protest was about choosing a new way of life. >> it's not about your political fight here. it's about way of life. are we going to have normal life for our children, decent life for ourselves? are or we going to go back to the disaster, cleaves my generation lived through rand we do not wish on younger people. younger people do not know soviet union, but they know it is not good. >> reporter: but according to some reports, ukraine's president yanukovych seems to be easing close to moscow for deals on gas and aid. that has angered protesters. after more than two weeks this protest is now at a point

of make or break. the demonstrators here know they have to keep up the momentum to achieve a change of power in ukraine. if they fail then mr. yanukovych could survive with moscow's help. >> ahead of the protest, the demonstrators remain defiant. >> the people want to turn to europe, but the government doesn't care. they have the power and the money. >> i'm against any deal. that means that putin could get ahold of ukraine. >> al jazeera, kiev. >> well, vladimir putin, president of russia, is not going to make yanukovych's life

any easier after so many times he was cheated by him personally and other ukrainians. we have to take into consideration that yanukovych lowered his own price in butten's eyes after not signing. now he'll just have to do anything putin tells him, but at stake is his power, which means he doesn't want to do it. >> oh, no deal russia just yet. before the ukrainian went to russia, he went to china. for the redevelopment of the black sea port where david now reports.

>> reporter: the home of russia's black sea fleet since the time of katherine the great. victor yanukovych gave an extension of lease on that base but got little in return for it. beijing's money looks to transform the prospects of the city overlooking the russian warships 47. it will provide a lifeline for a battled ukrainian economy. and a political lifeline for the battled yo ukrainian president. >> trade between china and europe has to travel all of

europe. but when it support constructed. ships will be able to go straight to the black sea. that means travel for trade is will be 6,000 kilometers shorter. >> it has been building a profitable business exporting steel and grain providing vital jobs. they've been battling the wind of recession in their world markets and at home. but their special directer is up >> we believe the investment in the port is necessary to match the overall positive trend in these sectors. >> president yanukovych has brought home an important prize which could stop the support in the traditional heartland of his

party, and it sends an important message to the european union and moscow, that they are not the only players. >> people around the world are continue to go celebrate the life of former president nelson mandela. this is the scene where he used to live. mourners have been bringing flowers and some are still out there dancing and celebrating. mandela died on thursday. he was 95 years old. >> reporter: thnelson mandela lived here disguiseds as a gardner for a long member of time. and here he met with members of anti-national congress and here they plot the revelation, the

way in which the regime would be toppled. the police raided this farm 50 years ago and arrested members of the anc. mandela was on his way back to his farm when he was arrested the by a roadblock, beginning the long, long prison sentence he served behind bars. man came to light candles and lay flowers. many events taking place, this is what a spokesman for the family has to say. >> on behalf of thema of of thea family, we have grave sadness for the passing of nelson mandela two days ago. >> the words of nelson mandela of what became known as the ra

rabonia trial. he said i have stood against white domination. i have stood against black domination. i have always cherished a society of democracy where people can live in opportunity. >> racial integration is still a problem in south africa. after two decades an ever the end of apartheid we talk with an interracial couple in johannesburg to see the challenges they face. >> nelson mandela brough fought inequality, and now today couples don't have to hide their relationship but being a mixed race couple still has their challenges. >> people have accepted that we have merged, but not this close.

so it's okay to work with someone and, you know, have coffee with them. but when it gets personal it becomes a bit weird. people haven't really tried the closeness like touch you, live with you, eat with you kind of a thing. that's what they find a bit uncomfortable for some. >> some blacks don't like whites and some whites don't like blacks, but they hope that will change. >> one of our friends was watching the table in front of him. who knows what, whites, blacks, calendacolors all having a good. [♪ singing ] >> the ban on mixed marriages was eventually scrapped.

mandela died on thursday. people are leaving cards and families at the house where he passed away. >> this used to be an exclusiv exclusively white neighborhood during apartheid. but things have changed dramatically. but still race reconciliation is still a work in process. mandela will be buried on the 15th o of december. >> still more to come on this news hour. including 12 nuns being held by rebels in syria. demanding a thousand female prisoners are freed in return. and legal victory for blacks on wall street. they win the largest race discrimination payout. plus in sports tiger woods stuns

his rivals. all those details coming up. i'm phil torrez. i'm phil torrez. coming up this week on techknow. coming up this week on techknow. >> shots fired. >> shots fired. a neighborhood under attack. a neighborhood under attack. >> last warning, okay? >> last warning, okay? i don't want to put you in i don't want to put you in handcuffs. handcuffs. >> now the innovative technology >> now the innovative technology that can spot a stolen car that can spot a stolen car parked in the middle of a city parked in the middle of a city block. block. >> there were multiple gunshots fired. >> there were multiple gunshots fired. >> it can track a gunman >> it can track a gunman thousands of miles away. thousands of miles away. >> if you can track it then you >> if you can track it then you can predict it. can predict it.

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>> hello. we remind you the top stories here on al jazeera. more french soldiers have arrived in central africa republic to protect civilians. 21 egyptian women and girls have been freed from prison after their successful appeals hearing. they have been sentenced to something years in jail after protesting in alexandria. and the world trade organization has agreed to the first-deal to boost global commerce. it is designed to make it easier for patioer countries to trade in international markets. an american war veteran denied in north korea for over a month has arrived back in the u.s. here are some pictures that we're seeing of merrill newman. the 85-year-old who served in

nortnorth korea was detained. he was accused of being a war criminal. we're in palo alto near san francisco. if we see him arrive at the airport we're expecting him to turn up there quite soon. this is quite a long journey from north convenient. yes, an we him him at any moment now. he may try to sneak in. there has been a lot of media interest at the airport trying to get a word out of him. he thanked evan for their support and kept his remarks very brief. you can imagine how tired he was. what was interesting about this case quite a number of american soldiers who gout in the videoan

waterwho served in northkorea. he served as a white tiger and that's the distinction that the north koreans caught. >> how did he secure his release? >> for the moment we don't know too much of the details about his release by vice president biden who was in asia did comment that he was not personally involved in the negotiations. with the north koreans it's difficult to tell what motivates them. some believe that it's kim jong-un who makes a decision, especially with the american detainees. i think in the coming days when he is ready, in the future we might get an enter idea what what prompted the north koreans to free him. i should add there is another

american held in north korea. kenneth bay is in the middle of serving a 15 year sentence. >> we'll let you go. thank you very much. now syrian activists say an attack by government jets have killed 20 people in the city of raka. they say dozens of people have been wounded. rebels took over the city in march. it was the only major enabled not entirely under control since the conflict began in 2011. >> syrian nuns are being held after being taken from their village. >> this is a christian village of malula, near damascus.

>> after we regained control of malula, they targeted the churches, con vents and mosque mosques{^l" ^}. >> during the battles roads and buildings were extensively damaged. the convent did not fare so well. >> as you can see the convent was she woul sheffield united bs anthethe conventwas shelled. >> some activists are giving a different count. they're saying fighters from the al nus ra front are saying that they want prisoners released for

the nuns. >> we have taken them all by the grace of god to a safe shelter. >> this one of the few places in the world where the language of aramaic still spoken, the language of jesus. many syrians are finding it difficult to leave through usual check points so they have been finding alternative routes we go to the syrian-jordanian border. >> reporter: trickling down on foot from now man's land into jordan territory, they finally escape fighting and destruction in their country. they've walked several kilometers in the cold and rain to get this far.

this woman arrived with her mentally challenged son. she said honor and starvation brought her here. >> food supplies have been cut off. mills and bakeries have been destroyed. there is no food or drink. if someone sees a bag of blood, they biof bread,they bid on thet an auction. >> the refugees arrive with documentation documents and the clothes on their backs. they've just experienced the longest and most dangerous journey for safety. >> some have been turned away from the border because they did not have all of their documents. but now they do. >> i'm sure it will be better than living under airstrikes and bombardment. any life here is better than syria. >> syrithe safer route is crossg

into jordan near the border with iraq. this is why the number of daily arrives has significantly dropped from thousand toss hundreds in recent months. jordan has been accused of turning refugees away. >> why did the numbers drop? i think that's due to the security inside syria, not to do with the jordanian border. >> there is a lot of fighting going on here. therthis is a desolate locationd people are finding that it's easier to get through. >> it will take several days to get screened and taken to a camp.

but their journey has yet to start. >> let's go back to barbara in london for more news from europe. leslet's start in greece. protesters are gathering and say that the spending cuts proposed by parliament will cause further hardship. we know that greece is in financial trouble, so obviously it has to make cuts. but tell us about the debate that's going on in parliament before the vote on the budget. do you know what kinds of issues are being discussed? >> first of all the numbers, it is now clear. we've heard from all the parties in parliament that the government will be isolated on this boat. 154 mps out total of 300 will

have to vote the government's way in order for this bill to get through unscathed. and this budget to be voted in by the beginning of next year. they can, of course, stand to suffer defections but with the majority of people that would look extremely bad for the government. we've heard from the leader of the radical left who say greece is now in a state of humanitarian crisis. you cannot carry on paying billions to the country's credit ththes while ignoring the hungr. he said when he comes into leadership we will to stop paymt of that debt and ask for the restructuring of that debt because it is unsustainable.

it's a complete confrontation of mindset in parliament. there is no compromise between the government and opposition. and it seems that none of the opposition parties are considering going the governor's way. thank you. >> thousands of travelers have been stranded. most airports in the u.k. are affected by the problem with hundreds of flights canceled. officials of the national air crack control service hopes to have the problem question and the next hour. it will take much--inch long for clear the names. >> reporter: more than 200 flights have been canceled at heathrow alone, but it's effects many more airports. most of the airports in southern united kingdom, the air traffic

control center usually looks after 5,000 flights a day. potentially that many flights could be effected. it is still running at 80% capacity. the problem was switching from nighttime operations to daytime operations. the air traffic control said during night they will combine air space because they don't have any mea many flights coming through. meanwhile, airlines are advising people to check in before they head out to the airport to find out possible delays or cancellations to avoid potentially a very long wait at the departure gate. >> that is it for me and the rest of the team in europe. now lack to lauren in doha. >> thank you. now back to thailand's political

ruling. they return with treat system stationdefunk partythat was ban. now backed by that party's success susser. >> to be back pass a member of the party makes me feel that we have our political rights back. i haven't planned my furor expect to receive any position including prime minister or a cabinet position. >> shinawatra, even some of his

closest allies believe that the push for an amnesty bill, which would have cleared him, was a bad move. >> that it was a mistake, i believe so. but that was sore. now the bill was not passed by the upper house. >> that has not been enough to stop the protesters who have been vowing to eradicate the regime. >> at the headquarters you're left with little doubt who is behind this party. it even comes complete with his own library in the name of thaksin cincinnat shinawatra. despite the opposition his party and his family are not giving up getting him home.

>> we faced so many obstacles, but the door has not been closed openly. i can't mention the details at the moment. >> the return of the band's members will further pretrial his opponents. al jazeera, bangkok. >> japan has passed a law handing out harsh penalties for whistle blowers leaking public information. journalist who is have obtained data also face penalties. the u.s. judge has approved a record settlement in a racial bias group. a group of black stockbrokers sued merrill cinch. we have problems from thi.

>> this victory weak has been nine years in the making. a federal judge in chicago has approved the largest racial discrimination until ever. $160 million for george mcreynolds and 1400 other black stock broke injuries i field real good. and justin ha justice has preva. >> the merrill lynch system kept black brokers out of the money. >> black brokers are in the office but we're not part that have group. we won't be chosen to be put on the teams. we are not chosing for the good stuff. we want to change that. we want to open that fraternity.

>> reporter: it has had a wider effect. merrill cincmerrill lynch. >> by inviting people who sued them to the table and be part of the solution, i believe in our clients, and i believe they can change things. >> merrill lynch said an argument. it was society, wealthy white investors were more likely to work with brokers who looked like them. butteamerica is integrated.

it is not just black and white. it is integrated. and we need to keep it that way. >> reporter: now after 30 years with merrill lynch he said he'll return to work and try to make that happen for the next generation. >> well, we have more still to come. after the break. including a look at how football is trying to compete with the traditional sport in the united states. every sutñ

>> now let's go to sports. >> reporter: thank you so much. we'll start with the english

premier league. things are going bad to worse for david moyes. they lost to new castle. scoring the winning goal after just an hour. percy thought he would equalize for the header but that was ruled outside. >> i think the two games two similar. if we come out, but we could not. because man chested united, we have to do bes better, take more chances and we've just not been able to do that. >> liverpool had leapfrogged over chelsea into second. they beat west ham 4-1. chelsea conceded a late goal to

win 7-2 at stoke. right now tottenham 2-is over sunderland. football has grown in the states, it still can't touch the big three of professional american sports. that is baseball, basketball, and the nfl. we take a look at at sports link facing major challenges as it grows. >> families salt lake city and kansas city prepare for the mls cup, and in this league that match is always a family battle. the entire league is a single businessent glit we created the structure that allows us at a very high level to think of things that will make the game bow and tgrow.

the commissioner said this year's competitive playoff race proves it's working. >> i don't know if you can find another soccer league in the world that did sa can say the se thing. we believe we have one of the most competitive soccer leagues in the world. >> they're trying to be disciplined, organized and careful of how they spend money. major league soccer has a salary cap o. $3 million. >> the nfl salary cap is $123 million. pro basketball, $159 million. that's per team. the mls league wide payroll, $89 million with each team all

allowed to overpay a few star players. maintaining labor pay as the sport grows will be a challenge. >> the reality is money talksish and players are working towards their livelihood. they havand no one fault them f. >> he said next year when the contract is up they will be negotiating hard for significantly better pay. if revenues continue to grow as expected. >> another challenge for mls in the next year negotiating a better broadcasting deal which is currently in the workers works and making the onscreen products more attractive. >> they have not been that good. >> if he continues to.

>> a loss last week was followed by 1-0 defeat against kawasaki on saturday. they would win by two goals to win the championship by a single point. the first team to defend their title since 2009. england cricketers have a big job ahead of them against australia. mitchell johnson start with the aussies on friday. he took 7 for 40. johnson was twice on a hat trick as he claimed five wickettets of just five over. >> to be at back up performance,

to do it here, you know, it's really nice. a really nice feeling for me. i guess there's been talk in the past that we can have those performances where i can blow a team away and then the next team not turn up, so that's why it was more emotional for me special. >> johnson means they could have been forced to battle on. but they decided t decided to b. >> another disappointing performance. you can't afford to test matches certainly in test innings. you're not going to win anything. it's obviously very disappointing, and can't go away from that. there is going to be no excuses. it's not good enough. we need to make sure that we put that right. >> the first test between new zealand and the west indies

finished in the test. heavy rain forced play to be abandoned with the kiwi's 31 runs short of the total. tiretiger woods will start his d round in california. he equaled his own course record at sherwood country club. he shot well. >> i made a lot more puts than i made yesterday. today, today was good. >> the boston celtics have maintained top spot in the nba's eastern conversation.

scoring 17 points and 7 rebounds. the nuggets have lost two in a row. and a 34-haul led the houston rockets. the final score, 105-83. sebastian vettel has been awarded the award in paris. [♪ music ] >> there was a blues brothers theme to the evening as vettel and the other award winners arrived on stage. the germany driver won his fourth consecutive award this year. while thinks team picked up the constructer trophy for the first time. >> do stay with us here on al jazeera. we have more news right ahead.

our. >> welcome to al jazeera america. i'm richelle carey. here are the stories that we're following for you. merrill newman is back with his family in the u.s. his six-week saga in north korea over. south african mourners are holding vigils and memorials for nelson mandela continues. and this marijuana ingredient is bringing hundreds of families with epileptic children to colorado.